How to scan documents to PDF with your phone (no scanner needed)

You don't need a scanner to send a clean PDF of a signed form, receipt or certificate. A phone camera and a few habits produce results that look scanned — and readable — every time.

Set up the shot

Most poor “phone scans” come from the photo, not the software. Before you start:

• Use a dark, flat surface. A white page on a dark table gives clear edges and better contrast.
• Use daylight or bright, even light. Avoid overhead lamps that cast your phone's shadow onto the page.
• Hold the phone flat above the page. Tilting makes text at the top smaller than at the bottom.
• Fill the frame with the page, leaving only a thin border.
• Tap to focus on the text before taking the photo.

Step by step

1. Open Scan to PDF in your phone's browser.
2. Tap the upload area and take photos with your camera, or choose photos you already took. Use + Add more photos for additional pages.
3. Pick a scan effect: Original color, Grayscale (classic scan look) or Black & white (high-contrast text).
4. Pick a page size: Fit to photo, A4 or Letter.
5. Optionally name the file, tap Create PDF, then Download PDF.

Which scan effect to choose

Black & white is best for typed or handwritten text: it removes grey shadows, makes text darker and gives the smallest file. Grayscale looks like a traditional office scan and keeps pencil marks and light stamps. Original color is for documents where colour matters — coloured stamps, photos, highlighted text or ID cards.

Page size

Choose A4 (or Letter in the US and Canada) if the recipient might print the document. Choose Fit to photo for receipts, tickets and small cards, so they aren't surrounded by empty white space.

After scanning

• Pages sideways? Fix them with Rotate PDF.
• File too big for a form? Use Compress PDF to KB.
• Want to search or copy the text? Run OCR PDF.
• Pages in the wrong order? Rearrange them with Organize PDF.

Common questions

Do I need to install an app? No. It works in the browser on Android and iPhone.

Is a phone scan accepted for official documents? Usually yes, if it is clear and complete. Check the recipient's requirements for colour and size.

Are my photos uploaded? No. The PDF is created on your phone, inside the browser.